Gate valve



, April 2, 1927. 1,624,465

L7 J. BLACK .GATE YALVE Filed u 2 Sheets-Sheen 1,624,465 1.. .1. BLACK GATE VALVE Filed July 15. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet z gwventoc be aka. 4

'- Patented Apr. 12, 1927. v

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEE J. BLACK, 01 BEAUMONT, TEXAS.

. to pipvent the valve from seating rope Furthermore, the fluid collecting iilio operating parts earn vanvn.

Application filed July 18, 1928. Serial ,No. 122,261.

This invention relates to improvements in gate valves, and more particularly to a gate valve especially adapted for use in connection with oil well drilling apparatus to provide a means for shutting off the well in event of the generation of sudden pressure of oil or gas therein.

Gate valves'employed withwell drilling apparatus are installed at the head of the casing, so that in the drilling operation the tools pass therethrough. These valves are often, ing operation, idle for very, .longperiods. In the drilling operation, particularly where rotar well dgilling apparatus is employed, circu ation fluid is employed for washing awaythe cuttings from the bits and this circulation fluid-must pass through the valve. Not only is this circulation fluid full of rock cuttings'which are being withdrawn from the bore, but the and slime in suspension in water, so that there is a great quantity of grit and dirt which ma collect about and upon the gate of the va veand its seats and which tenlds y. at the of the valve has a tendency to cause the same'to bind and stick, rendering operation of the valve difficult, if. not impossible. In many'instances, the stem of the valve will twist off without moving the ate. This is" extremely dangerous, due to the fact that the valve has been installed for the purpose of takin care of emergencies, such as the flow of oi which cannot be immediately taken care of or a rush of gas which, if unchecked, is liable to cause a very disastrous fire. Accordingly, an important object of this invention is the provision of agate valve, the operating artsof which are so protected from the action of the fluid in vention is to. rovide a gate valve, thethat the valve gate is undamaged-thereby and there is no-danger of'the working parts sticking in operation.

A further andmore specificobject'of the gate of which is I, ormed in two sections and the body of which is formed 'with a recess of a gate construction,

1 into which the gateis drawn when in'inoperative or open position, this recess. fitting the gate, and-particularly the seating faces of the gate. so as to exclude all fluid therefrom.

A stillfurther object of the invention is the provision in a valve of this construction,

after opening thereof to start thedrill-' fluid itself consists of sand drawings,

1 and thickness as of the gate are sealed to one another, while the gate is in the open position, so that fluid may not pass-between the sections for contact with the operating mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to provide avalve of this character in which the working parts may be readily removed at any time for inspection or repair.

These and other objects I attain by. the

construction shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustratlon is shown a preferred embodnnent of my invention and wherein:-

Figure 1 1s a vertical sectional view through a gate valve constructed in accord-' ance with my invention, shown in the closed position:

Figure 2 is a section on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 -of Figure 1.

Referring now more particularly to the the numeral 10 indicates the valve body having the usual bore 11 at the center of which .is arranged the valve seat 12. In accordance with my invention, the bore adjacent the valve seat is enlarged, 'as at 13, so that tools passing through the bore will not engage with or damage the seat. The seat,1 2 is of the compound type, having confronting annular faces for coaction with the gate 14 of the valve. .At one side of the body 10, a chamber 15 is produced, this chamber having a bore 16 of considerably greater diameter than the thickness .of the gate. The outer end of this bore is enlarged and threaded, as at 17, for the reception of the valve bonnet 18.

Arranged within thebore are a pair of recess castings 19, the' lower ends of which fit the bore 16, 'asindicated at 20. Above these lower ends, the

19, a chamber 22' is produced. These chambers 22 are placed in communication with the castings are in position within the bore recess 24 of the same width,

16, toproduce'a the sections 25' of the valve 14, when combined. The castin 19 each have an extension 26 fitting wit in a bore 27 formed in the lowerend of the bonnet and such that the sectionsthese extensions are recessed at 28, so that the gate beingfaces of the recess cast- I ings are relieved, as at 21, so that between the walls of the bore and each recess-casting they combine to produce a socket'29 receiving and fitting the nut 30 of a valve stem 31. Between the bottom of the socket 29 and the recess 24, a wall 32 is formed which has an opening 33 through which the valve stem 1 may pass. The bonnet 18 has a flange 34 overlying and having a packing seal engagement at 35 with the upper end wall of the chamber 15. The bottom face 35 of the nut seats upon the upper ends of the recess castings about the extension 26 thereof and has a packing seal engagement therewith at 36. The lower ends of the recessrastings seat upon the lower end wall 37 of the bore 16 and have a packing seal engagement therewith at 38. he recess castings are preferably held against rotation within the bore 16 by means of dowel pins 40 or the like, so that anv' tendency on the part of the nut 30 to stick will not cause the recess castings'to misalign with the seat 12. Between the edges of the sections of the recess castings pack ing 41 is employed. The bonnet 18 preferably has the bore 42 thereof, which fits the stem of the valve, connected with the counterbore 27 by it gradually curved wall 43, so that between the upper end of the counterbore and the lower end of the bore 42, an oil chamber 44 is produced. Projecting inwardly from this curved'wall are lugs 45, which overlie the nut 30 and prevent excessive shifting movement thereof within the socket 29. The curved walls 43 have formed therein oil ports 46, the outer ends of which are sealed by removable; plugs 47. These oil ports are diametrically opposed, so that no matter which face of the valve is arranged uppermost, "oilmay be placed in the chamber to lubricate the stem and nut. The chambers 22 are likewise for the reception of oil which lubricates the walls of the re 1 cess castingsand the confrontingwall of the valve by the chamber'15, so that any tendency of the recess castings to stick or bind is prevented.

The walls of the chamber 15 are provided;

with diametrically opposed filling openings 48 suitably plugged, as sit-49;

The sections 25 of the valve combine to form a body, adjacent the u per end of which is formed a. transverse y extending recess 50,'theend walls of which'converge downwardly, as at 51, and the upper end of which communicates with the upper end of a vertically extending passage 52. The upper wall "of. the recess'at each section of the valve is provided with a depending lug 53, the outer face 54 of which cess receives an actuator 55 having at opposite side faces thereof tapered faces 56 for coaction with'the end walls 51 of the recess and which has upon its upper face upstanding lugs 57, the inner faces of which are tapered for coaction with the faces 54 of the inclines inwardly and downwardly. This relugs 53. As' the actuator is moved upwardly, the faces of these lugs, coacting with the faces of the'lugs 53, tend to draw the sections 25 of the valve towardone another while, when the actuator is moved downwardly, 51, tend to separate the sections of the valve. The actuator 55 is swiveled upon a head 58 formed upon the lower end of the valve stem 31. The lower ends of the valve sections 25 combine in the assembled relation of the sections to produce a frustro-conical recess 59. This recess as the valve reaches its seating position, has its walls engaged by a conical extension 60 formed on the inner face of the usual removable bottom plug 61, so that the lower ends, as well as the upper ends of the valve sections, are forced apart as the valve comes to its seat. Between adjacent faces of the valve sections, a U-shapcd packing member 62 is arranged.

In the use of the valve, as theyalve is drawn in the recess 24, rounded faces 63 ripen the upper ends of the side faces of t 1e ends of the walls of the chambers 24 come into engagement with one another. At this time, the lugs or hooks 57 are tending to draw the section 25 toward one another and as the valve forces its way into the chamber 24, these sections are moved further together, pressing adjacent faces thereof firmly against the packing member 62,; so that not only are the seating faces of the valves sealed against fluid passing throu h the bore 11, but the adjacent faces of tie sections are similarly protected by the seal provided by the gasket 62. The stem 31, Whenthe gate is fully withdrawn, will have substantially its' entire threaded section arranged within the bore 42, the nut force may he brought to'bear to force apart the upper portions of the sections and insure .a proper seating thereof against the faces of the valve seat. Lubrication of the recess castings 19 and of the stem insures against sticking of any of the portions of the valve and proper operation thereof, when an-opcration is desired,

upon the valve. It is pointed out that by removing the bonnet 18, the entire unit consisting of the bonnet, recess castings 19 and the faces 56, meeting with the faces gate sections 25 and 64 upon the lower and furthermore, facilivtates the making of any necessary repairs 30 andoil chamber 44, so that a complete lubrication thereof is- As it arrives at ing formed in two separable gate 14 can be bodily withdrawn from the valve for inspection or repair. 1

Since the construction hereinbefore set forth is capable of a certainrange of change and'moditieation without materially de )arting from the spirit of the invention, do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed. c

I claim 1. In a gate valve, a casing having a seat, a gate for reaction with the seat, the casing having a recess into which the gate may be withdrawn, .a stem for shifting the gate from the seatito the recess, said gate besections having a compressiblegasket arranged therebetween, the sections of the walls of the recess having engagement with one another whereby the sections of the gate are forced into engagement with one an other to thereby compress the gasket and seal the space between adjacent faces of the gate as the gate is drawn into the recess. 7

2. In a gate valve, a casing having a seat, a gate for coaction with the seat, the casing having a recess into which the gate may be withdrawn, a stem for shifting the gate from the seat to the recess, said gate being formed in two separable sections having a compressible gasket arranged therebetweeu,

the sections of the gate and the walls of the recess having engagement with one another, whereby the sections of the gate are forced into engagement with one another to there by comprers the gasket and seal the space between adjacent faces of the gate as-the gate is drawn into the recess and means connecting the sections of the gate with the stem shifting the sections of the gate toward one another upon initial movement of the stem in a direction to shift the gate from the seat to the recess.

3. In a gate valve, a casing having a seat, a gate for coaction with the seat, the easing having a recess into. whichthe gate may be withdrawn, a stem for shifting the gate from the seat to the recess, said gate being formed in two separable sections having a compressible gasket arranged therebetween,

the sections of the gate and the walls of the recess having engagement with one another whereby the sections of the gate are forced into engagement with, one another to there- "by compress the gasket and seal the space between adjacent faces of the gate as the gate is drawn into the recess and means connecting the sectiona-of the gate with the stem shifting the sections of the gate toward one another upon initial movement of the stem in a direction to shift the gate from the seat to the recess and urging separation of the gate's'ections upon primary movement of the stem m 'a d rection to shift the valve from the recess'to' the seat.

4.- In a gate valve,-"a,,casing having a seat,

gate and the municatiug a gate for coaction with the seat, the' casing.

the sections of the gate and the wallsof the reess having engagement with one anothergate are forced whereby the sections of the into engagement with one another to thereby compress the gasket and seal the spacev between adjacent faces of the gate as the gate is drawn into the recess, the outer face;

of the sections having sealing engagement with the opposed walls of the recess when the gate is in position within the recess.

5. In a gate valve, a casing having a seat embodying opposed wall fates, a chamber formed by one wall of" the casing and com-.

with the seat through an opening, a bonnet engaged with the outer end of the chamber wall, a stem passed through the bonnet, a gate formed in two sections secured to the inner end of said stem, means mounted within the chamber and having sealing engagement with the inner end of the chamber and with the bonnet and providing a recess aligned with the opening of the casing wallinto which the gate may be drawn and having opposed wall face", the

the recess, .said gate being ill) outer face of the gate and the opposed;

faces of the recess having sealing engagement w th one another when the gate is drawn within the recess, the walls of the recess being spaced apart a distance less than the distance between the opposed faces of the seat of the casing, the connection between the gate and stem including a part spreading the sections of the gate as the gate 18 moved from the recess to=the seat.-

6. In a gate valve, a casing having a seat embodying opposed, wall faces, a chamber formed by one wall of the casing and comn'iunicat-ing with the mg, a bonnet engagedwith the outer end 0 seat through an open? the chamber wall, a stem passed through the bonnet, a gate'formed in twosections secured tothe inner end of said stein, means mounted within the chamber and having sealing engagement withthe inner end of the chamber and with the bonnet and providing a recess aligned with the opening of the casing wall into which the gate maybe drawn and having opposed wall faces, the outer faces of: the gate and the opposed faces of the recess having sealing cngagew ment with one another when thegatev drawn \Vli'lllIL the recess, the wallshf the recess ,being spaced apart a distance less than the distance between the opposed faces of the seat'of the caring, the connection be- .tween the gate andstem including a part spreading the sections of the gate as. the gate is moved from the recess to the seat and a casing wall at the opposite side ofthe III ill

sealing engagement gate moves into the recess.

casing from said recess having a removable plug the inner face of which is provided with means engaging the gate sections and separating the same as the gate aligns with its seat. 1

7. In a gate valve, a casing having a seat embodyingopposed wall faces, a chamber formed by one wall of the casing and communicating with the seat through an open ing, a bonnet engaged with the outer end of the chamber wall, a stem passed through the bonnet, a gate formed in two sections secured to the inner end of said stem, means mounted within the chamber and having sealing engagement with the inner end of the chamber and with the bonnet and providing a recess aligned with the opening of the using wall into which the gate may be drawn and having opposed wall faces, the outer faces of the gate and the opposed faces of the recess having sealing engage ment with one another when the gate is drawn within the recess, the walls of the recess being spaced apart a distance less than the distance between the opposed faces of the seat of the casing, the connection between the gate and stem including a part [spreading the sections of the gate as the gate is moved from the recess to the seat and shifting the gate sections toward one another when the stem is actuated to shift the gate from its seat to said recess.

8. In a gate valve, a casing having a mat embodying opposed wall faces, a chamber formed by one wall of the casing and coming, a bonnet engaged with the outer end of the chamber wall, a stem passed through the bonnet, a gate formed in two sections secured to the inner end of said stem, means mounted within the chamber and having with the inner end of the chamber and with the bonnet and 'providing a recess aligned with the opening of the casing wall into which the gate may be drawn and having opposed wall faces, the

outer faces of the gate and theopposed faces of the recess having sealing engagement with one another when the gate is drawn within the recess, the walls of the recess being spaced apart a distance'less than the dis tance between the opposed faces of the seat of the casing. the connectionbetween the gate and stem including a art spreading the sections of the gate as tli from the recess to the seat and shifting the gate sections toward one another when the stem is actuated to shift the gate from its seat to said recess, the upper edgesof the gate sections and the. lower ends of the walls of the recess having coacting faces shifting the gate sections toward one another as the 9. In a gate valve, a casing having a seatcmbodymg opposed wall faces, a chamber municating with the sent through an opene gate is moved menace formed by one wall of the casin .and comm munica'ting' with the seat througi an 0 ening, a bonnet engagedwith the outer en of the chamber wall, a stem passed through the bonnet, a gate formed 111 two sections secured to the inner end of said stem, means ,mounted within the chamber and having scaling engagement with the inner end of the chamber and with the bonnet and providing a recess aligned with the opening of the casing wallrinto which the gate may be drawn and having opposed wall: faces, the outer faces of the gate and the opposed faces of the recesshaving sealing engagement, with one another when the gate is drawn within the recess, the walls of the recess being spaced apart a distance less than the distance between the opposed faces of the seat of the casing, the connection between the gate and stem including a part spread ing the sections of the gate as the-gate is moved from the recess to the seat and shift-- ing the gate sections toward one another when the stem is actuated to shift the gate from its seat to said recess, the upper edges of the gate sections and the lower ends of the walls of the recess having coacting faces shifting the gate sections toward one another as the gate moves intothe recess and a gasket arranged between the gate sections andcompressed when the gate sections are positloned within therecess.

; 10. In a gate valve, a casing having a seat a chamber formed by one wall of the casing and communicating with the seat through an opening, a bonnet engaged with the outer end of the chamber wall, a stem' passed through the bonnet, a gate formed In two sections secured to the inner end of said stem, means mounted within the chamber and havingsealing engagement with the inner end of the chamber and with the bonnet and providing a recess aligned with the opening of the casing wall into which the gate may be drawn and having opposed wall faces, the outer faces of the gate andthe opposed. faces of the recess having sealing engagement with one another when the gate is drawn within the recess, said means pro viding at its outer end assocket, a nut,f or the stem fitting within said socket and means upon thebonnet adapted to be engaged by the nut to limit the within the socket. j I v 11. In a gate valve, a casing having'a seat, a chamber formed by one wall of the casing and communicating with the seat througlr an opening, a bonnet engaged with the outer end of the chamber wall, a stem passed through the bonnet, a gate formed in two sections secured to the inner end of said stem. means mounted withinthe chamber and having sealing engagement with the inner end of the chamberoand withthe bonnet and providing a recess aligned with the movement of the nut opening of the casing wall into which the gate may bedrawn and having opposed wall faces, the outer faces of the gate and the opposed faces of the recess having sealing engagement with one another when the gate is drawn within the recess, said means providing at its outer end a socket, a nutfor the stem fitting within said jsocket, means 8 upon the bonnet adapted to he enga ed by the nut to limit the movement of the nut 10 within the socket, the bonnet affording a space about the stem adjacent the nut and means for permitting the introduction of a inbricant to said space.

In testimony whereof I afiix m signature.

LEE J. LACK, 

